“The pilot project led to a 60-percent decline in divorce in Yazd province, which motivates us to conduct it in provinces with the highest divorce rate in the second and third phases,” Monday's edition of 'Iran Daily' quoted him as saying.
Entitled “Bashir”, the project includes four sections, which addresses both married and unmarried individuals to help them take the right decision in the most critical period of their lives.
Masoudi said textbooks have been prepared to teach high school girls how to select the right spouse.
“High school girls have been selected as our target group, first because they are more likely to marry at younger ages and second because not all of them will attend universities,” he said.
“Divorce is not an event but a process that could be prevented by improving a couple’s life skills and giving post-nuptial consultations.”
Masoudi noted that a majority of divorces take place in the first five years, hence newly-married couples are urged to attend educational workshops to learn how to deal with problems associated with married life.
The official noted that SWO has benefited from family experts over the past 15 years to address divorce and marriage issues in Iran and hoped that with the implementation of “Bashir” project nationwide, the divorce rate would fall significantly.
“Marriage quarrels are avoidable to a large extent by learning conflict management skills, right ways to raise a child, how to manage family finances and spiritual development, which are part of the project,” he said.
Masoudi also said over $600,000 have been allocated for the implementation of the project, which will be implemented in Fars, Isfahan, Alborz and Tehran provinces as of April and later across the nation.
“Citizens can call 1480 Helpline, which is free of charge, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for consultations,” he concluded.
Ahmad Touyserkani, the head of the Organization for Registration of Deeds and Properties, said the divorce rate almost remained unchanged at 116,842 during April 2014-Nov. 2015 compared with the same period of last year.
“However, the marriage rate has declined by nine percent over the same period to stand at 516,295,” he added.
The divorce to marriage ratio is 1:5 in Iran.
**1425
Tehran, Jan 26, IRNA - A scheme to reduce Iran’s divorce rate — implemented in Yazd province as a pilot project yielding positive results during April 2013-March 2014 — will be carried out nationwide, said Habibollah Masoudi, the deputy head of State Welfare Organization (SWO).
